The African American Critics Association (AAFCA) and the family of legendary director Stanley Kramer announced that the women behind Focus Features' most recent box office hit film, "Harriet," will receive this year's AAFCA Stanley Kramer Award for Social Justice.
The first-ever big-screen film on the iconic Harriet Tubman, who not only escaped her own enslavement, but traveled back frequently to free others, recently crossed $40 million at the box office. Starring Cynthia Erivo as the revered freedom fighter, whose other esteemed cast members include Vanessa Bell Calloway, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr., Omar Dorsey, Clarke Peters and Vondie Curtis Hall, has defied the odds by proving that films about strong women, particularly those of color, can and do resonate widely. For her performance, Erivo recently received two Golden Globe® nominations including Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama and Best Original Song "Stand Up," which she co-wrote with songwriter Joshuah Brian Campbell. Most recently, she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award® for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.
In addition to Erivo, her co-honorees include acclaimed Harriet director/co-writer Kasi Lemmons, as well as producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg. The ladies will receive the honor on January 22nd.
